Side Dish: Fegley's Brew Works finds success in sustainability

By Lenora Dannelke, Special to The Morning Call

Why wait for St. Patrick's Day to enjoy green beer? All of Fegley's Brew Works beers are green in character, if not color. The company recently received the Green Corporate Citizens Award from Waste and Recycling News, beating 70 others in the under $100 million category.

Green initiatives have been implemented at all five Lehigh Valley locations. They include a partnership with the Rodale Institute to convert more than a half-million pounds of material that would previously have gone to landfills into compost. Some 350,000 pounds of upcycled spent grain from the brewing process is used as feed for locally raised cattle that the company uses for its beef.

Fegley's Brew Works has also reduced its energy footprint by implementing LED lighting. The Allentown restaurant boasts more than 450 LED lighting fixtures, one of the largest in the industry worldwide. The Hamilton Street building also has been outfitted with a rooftop 44-kilowatt solar array. The remainder of its electricity is purchased from wind power supplied by Renewable Choice Energy.

These efforts not only benefit the planet, but save the company money with reduced hauling fees and energy costs. "It's a win-win," Marketing Director Mike Fegley says.

Think pink 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Oct. 12 when Roosevelt's 21st in Allentown, with the help of F.A.T. entertainment, hosts an "All Pink Everything 2" party to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. A similar event has been held at the restaurant's Bethlehem location.

Roosevelt's 21st owners have pledged to donate 10 percent of sales. The dinner special is a 1 1/2 pound lobster with fresh sweet corn for $19.99. Featured cocktail is a $4 Pink Long Island Ice Tea. The event doubles as the coming-out party for Sweet Revenge, The Original Wild Strawberry "Sour Mash" 77 Proof liqueur, so shots are priced at $3.

Sweet Revenge promotional models and Coors Girls of the Lehigh Valley will attend. DJ Jus Smith will keep the energy through the roof. There will be a Hottest Pink Outfit contest and the winner receives a $100 Victoria's Secret gift card.